The translation of "พระราชวังพญาไท" is "Phaya Thai Palace".

The Phaya Thai Palace was constructed on May 14, 1910, by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The King commissioned its construction as a summer residence on the rice fields bordering the Phaya Thai Canal. These fields had previously served as royal experimental plots for growing crops and had hosted the annual royal plowing ceremony for several years.

Following the passing of King Chulalongkorn in October 1910, Queen Saovabha Phongsri, the Queen Mother, permanently relocated her royal residence from the Grand Palace to the Phaya Thai Palace, where she resided until her death.

Subsequently, King Rama VI ordered the demolition of the royal residence and its surrounding buildings, preserving only the main audience hall, the Thewarat Sapharam Throne Hall. He then commissioned the construction of a new royal complex consisting of four throne halls, with the Phiman Chakri Throne Hall as the main structure and three subsidiary halls named Waikun Thep Yasthan, Si Suth Niwas, and Udom Wan Na Phorn.


Exhibition Hall inside the Phaya Thai Palace

The construction was completed in two years, and a royal ceremony was held on November 16 and 17, 1922, to celebrate the completion of the palace. The palace was elevated to the status of a royal palace to honor the King's parents.

Lotus pattern and ceiling of Phaya Thai Palace

Today, we will not be taking a tour of the entire Phaya Thai Palace. Instead, we will focus on the Thewarat Sapharom Throne Hall, as I had the opportunity to work inside this building today.

The Deva Rachasabharom Throne Hall: The Original Audience Chamber of Queen Saovabha Phongsri

The Deva Rachasabharom Throne Hall served as the original audience chamber during the reign of Queen Saovabha Phongsri, consort of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Outside

The Thewarat Sapharam Throne Hall served as the original audience chamber during the reign of Queen Saovabha Phongsri. The Queen relocated to Wang Phaya Thai Palace in 1910, making this the first throne hall constructed among the current group of royal buildings at Phaya Thai Palace.

The original throne hall during the reign of Queen Saovabha Phongsri

Wooden slat balcony

Golden dome ceiling

Historically, this space served as a venue for religious ceremonies during royal merit-making events, such as birthday celebrations. It also hosted personal guests of the monarch and occasionally functioned as a theater or cinema, depending on the occasion. The architectural design features a spacious hall.

High-rise tower

Comments